Bird trapping on Malta

The affected species

Short-toed Larks (Calandrella brachydactyla) confiscated from a trapperAlthough song bird trapping has been forbidden since 1 January 2008 on Malta there are still hundreds of active trapping sites across the islands. In the past the trappers’ targets were mainly finches - permitted until 2008. In the meantime they have specialised in rarer prey. The illegal trappers now have their sights set on above all waders as well as uncommon song bird species.

During the twice-annual bird protection camps CABS teams have either found the following species in Maltese trappers‘ nets or the birds were seized by the police after tip offs from CABS patrols. All uninjured birds were subsequently released into the wild.